BackgroundIn remembrance of the second anniversary of September 11, 2001, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and Cultural Affairs Department officials dedicated a permanent art exhibit at LAX on September 9, 2003. The artwork is located in front of LAX's historic Theme Building, 201 World Way.

LAX was tragically linked to the terrorist attacks on the United States as three of the four hijacked airplanes were headed to LAX. The art and design team, BJ Krivanek and Joel Breaux, worked along with Gruen Associates to create a design that reflected the community's collective loss and the hope that has sprung from the nation's strengthened national identity.

At its edge, visitors can move the floating, reflective dish, to activate the interplay of national perceptions -inscribed: United We Stand, Sea to Shining Sea, Home of the Brave, et al. -versus core American rights and ideals -inscribed: Privacy, Habeas Corpus, Assembly, et al. -suggesting the national dialogue triggered by the attacks.

Inscribed on the floating mirrored dish, reflected upward at night, are the personal traits of the victims -inscribed: Beloved, Equal, Strong, Honest, et al. -evidence of our diverse American citizenry and the characteristics that form our national identity. As projections at night, this constellation symbolizes the residual afterlife of the victims.

CostLAWA funded the $75,000 project as part of its commitment to the City of Los Angeles "One Percent for the Arts Program."

MaterialsFiberglass with mirror polished stainless steel cladding is used as the face of the floating reflective dish, with the 09/11/01 marker made of aluminum. Powder-coated aluminum cladding is used to enclose the perimeter of the fountain. The area surrounding the fountain is sandblasted concrete with infilled epoxy aggregate flight trajectories, with etched aluminum representing the four flights on that day. During the evening, the artwork is lit by overhead lighting.

DimensionsThe entire memorial, which includes the fountain and surrounding area of the artwork, is 30 feet in diameter. The floating reflective dish is 15 feet in diameter.